Myanmar Military Bombs Festival, Killing Dozens in sagaing Region
Sagaing, Myanmar - A bomb attack carried out by the Myanmar army during a Buddhist festival in the Sagaing region has left at least 32 people dead adn over 50 injured, according to reports from The Irrawaddy newspaper. The attack occurred amidst ongoing anti-junta demonstrations, specifically during the annual “Thadingyut” festival, also known as the “Festival of Lights.”
Initial reports indicate the force of the explosions scattered bodies, hindering identification efforts. The Thadingyut festival has become a focal point for peaceful protest as the military seized power in February 2021, with anti-junta groups organizing candlelit marches as a symbol of resistance.
Background: The 2021 Myanmar Coup
The Myanmar military launched a coup d’état on February 1, 2021, citing unsubstantiated allegations of fraud in the 2020 general elections and escalating political tensions. The military swiftly detained key political figures, including Aung San Suu Kyi, the country’s de facto leader and Minister of Foreign Affairs, along with other senior officials from the ruling party.A year-long state of emergency was subsequently declared.
Since the coup, the military has faced widespread and sustained opposition.A brutal crackdown on anti-coup protesters and rebel groups has resulted in a critically important loss of life and mass detentions. Official figures indicate at least 902 deaths, while the Assistance association for Political Prisoners (AAPP) reports a far higher toll, estimating approximately 1400 deaths and 10,000 detentions as the beginning of the conflict.
Despite the ongoing violence, demonstrations continue across the country, and trials of senior government officials are proceeding in military courts. The latest attack on the Thadingyut festival represents a further escalation of violence and a direct targeting of civilian gatherings.
Keywords: Myanmar, coup, military, Sagaing, Thadingyut, festival, bombing, Aung San suu Kyi, protests, human rights, violence, Irrawaddy, Assistance Organization for Political Prisoners.
